Leemisa Thuseho

FIVE male boxers leave the country this afternoon for the African Boxing Qualifiers in Dakar, Senegal.

The games will run from Thursday until 29 February 2019.

The games are also the qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The trip is financed by the Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC).

The five, who also represented the country in the African Games in Rabat Morocco last year are Tlholohelo Mokhesi, Moroke Mokhotho, Qhobosheane Mohlerepe, Mokhachane Moshoeshoe and Arena Pakela.

Of the five, only Mokhotho has previously represented the country in the Olympics having participated in the Brazil 2016 games and he says he is ready for another go.

“If ever I get another chance to represent Lesotho at Olympic Games, I think this time I know exactly what is required and I will make history,” Mokhotho said

“I have no doubt that I will bring a medal.”

Although they did not have good preparations, Mokhotho said they would do all they can to make the country proud.

“Knowing my teammates’ caliber and their eagerness to qualify, I am confident that most; if not all, will qualify.

“For games like these, we need camp and joint training sessions with boxers from other countries as well as competing with them. We can learn a lot from South African and Botswana teams,” he said.

On the other hand, team coach Thabiso Nketu is also confident that his team will perform well and secure Olympics qualification.

“The target is for all athletes to qualify and we hope for the best,” Nketu said adding that arriving in Uganda early would give the boxers time to acclimatise.

“Senegal is very hot and it will be wise for our players to acclimatise before the games,” Nketu said.

He said although they do not have any females in the current team, the hope was that by next year they would have one.